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Another unexpected frustrating experience

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anonymousCentaur
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Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:01
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Alright guys this wasn't the debrief that I had planned to do but what are we but mere puppets of the universe. So as I have told before, I had planned to take the GMAT on 26th March 2020 when the government initiated a country-wise lockdown. My exam got cancelled, and I never got comfortable with the idea of online GMAT. So I waited until things got a bit more normal. I booked a slot for 19th February 2021 (today) and started practicing from OG because I decided that was the best way to revise. Plus my quant notes got lost somehow so that was a bummer. Anyway after scoring 720 in Official Mocks 3 and 4, I fixed the gaps and scored 760 on GMAT Official Mock 5 and was even scoring 6 on AWA Official Prep.

On the day before (18th Feb) at 5:30 PM (IST), I receive an email from Pearson that my GMAT that was scheduled at 12 PM the next day stands cancelled (with no explanation), and that I would have to reschedule it. I immediately called GMAT customer service and got it rescheduled - on 19 Feb, 9:30 AM in a city that was 120 Kms away. But that was okay as long as I am done with my exam. I reached there on 18th prepared for my exam.

The story is still pending: I reached the testing center more than half an hour before the slot to find it completely deserted. Luckily, I saw a caretaker there and asked him to call the incharge party and guess what? They were not aware of any scheduled exam. So they hurry it as much as they could (they were also nice to me), and I'm began my test 45 minutes late. But wait. There's more. I had selected Verbal-Quant-IR-AWA as the test order and it went great. However, after clicking submit on my essay, the system CRASHED. I saw an error and I alerted the representative there who said that it was okay and that I will get my unofficial score by the end of the day. I also contacted the GMAT customer care who told me that they'll get to me in 2-5 business days but could not give me any kind of reassurance that my exam was successfully registered and that I will not have to give the exam again.

So here I am sulking and wondering what to do. I had taken leave from work to study for the GMAT, travelled to a city 120 KMs away, and showed up before the time, yet I wasn't able to conclude this chapter. My plan is to just wait for an answer from GMAT. Until I have an answer, I'll stick around on gmatclub, and answer QOTDs and post on the forum so that I can still keep in touch just in case I would have to give the exam again. Other than that, I am completely lost. So there you go.

Probably what you might not wanted to read but, hey, thanks for hearing me out. I appreciate all the help that I can get right now.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:16
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Wow. What an experience. Sorry to hear about this but what a story of perseverance. I hope you get a great score. I really do. I think crashing during the AWA is not a huge concern but of course you have to wait for your score now....

But wow what a story!

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:24
bb wrote:
I think crashing during the AWA is not a huge concern but of course you have to wait for your score now....


Just to clarify: I was done with AWA, and then it crashed. I'm actually positive about how my essay turned out. Wrote a lot of words and structured it properly. So if it has saved my essay locally and retries (something which all such software should) then I'll be good.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:30
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anonymousCentaur wrote:
bb wrote:
I think crashing during the AWA is not a huge concern but of course you have to wait for your score now....


Just to clarify: I was done with AWA, and then it crashed. I'm actually positive about how my essay turned out. Wrote a lot of words and structured it properly. So if it has saved my essay locally and retries (something which all such software should) then I'll be good.


Got it. Hopefully they have your essay saved but even if they don’t, you should still be able to get a score. And the essay is of no consequence to business schools.

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:38
bb wrote:
anonymousCentaur wrote:
bb wrote:
I think crashing during the AWA is not a huge concern but of course you have to wait for your score now....


Just to clarify: I was done with AWA, and then it crashed. I'm actually positive about how my essay turned out. Wrote a lot of words and structured it properly. So if it has saved my essay locally and retries (something which all such software should) then I'll be good.


Got it. Hopefully they have your essay saved but even if they don’t, you should still be able to get a score. And the essay is of no consequence to business schools.

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(I'm sorry for repeatedly bothering you. Also, discussing here instead of PM so that others who have gone through a similar experience can benefit from this conversation)

What do you mean by no consequence to business schools? I am not planning to apply for another 1-2 years at least.
Also, in case such a thing happens, would there be a provision where you can just sit for the essay? From what I know the online GMAT didn't support essay for quite some time until recently.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:39
I’m basically on the same boat with you. I live in Houston Texas. I started my GMAT journey in late 2019, due to the pandemic and eventually a pregnancy (I’m a happy mother to a 4 month old now), delayed the Gmat til now. Once I had the baby, started studying for GMAT again in Nov 2020, this time it felt like self inflicted torture where I couldn’t be fully present with the baby because I’m stressed about GMAT, and couldn’t fully study for GMAT because the baby is crying or needs to be fed every hour. All while being a new mom, sleep deprived. and recovering from child birth.

Wrote the GMAT twice in Dec 2020 and got 650, I need 700. Decided to sign up for more self inflicted torture. Put in more hours and a tutor and finally started scoring 700s in mocks. Booked my exam for Feb 17, and Boom winter storm hits and Texas loses electricity and water. Exam was cancelled. I rescheduled it to a different location and drove to the god damn testing centre (in zombie city, no water, no electricity, traffic lights not working, highways blocked, went to 8 different gas stations and finally found gas), and the building is dark! No lights, nobody was there. Guess it’s cancelled again. All of this is happening as my own home is also without water and electricity and we have a newborn.

Now I don’t even know what to do. Deadlines are coming up and I may not be able to write the exam in time. I keep calling Pearson for reschedule but I always get disconnected after a while. Maybe this is a sign from the universe that mbas aren’t in my future.

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 10:46
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Sorry to hear about your experience. I’ve seen the news and it looks crazy. However, you didn’t give up after visiting seven gas stations so perhaps not yet the time to give up here :-)

I could not imagine having a newborn without water and power and having to take the GMAT. It’s amazing you had the resolve and the strength to do it!!! Wow!!!

One option would be taking the GMAT online. However that requires a waiting time for your score. I could see schools being potentially lenient about it if you contact them now about the situation. I think they will be sympathetic and very supportive. I don’t know who wouldn’t be 😬

Sorry about the GMAC phone support. It’s hit and miss unfortunately...

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 20:37
shaunayang71@gmail.com wrote:
I’m basically on the same boat with you. I live in Houston Texas. I started my GMAT journey in late 2019, due to the pandemic and eventually a pregnancy (I’m a happy mother to a 4 month old now), delayed the Gmat til now. Once I had the baby, started studying for GMAT again in Nov 2020, this time it felt like self inflicted torture where I couldn’t be fully present with the baby because I’m stressed about GMAT, and couldn’t fully study for GMAT because the baby is crying or needs to be fed every hour. All while being a new mom, sleep deprived. and recovering from child birth.

Wrote the GMAT twice in Dec 2020 and got 650, I need 700. Decided to sign up for more self inflicted torture. Put in more hours and a tutor and finally started scoring 700s in mocks. Booked my exam for Feb 17, and Boom winter storm hits and Texas loses electricity and water. Exam was cancelled. I rescheduled it to a different location and drove to the god damn testing centre (in zombie city, no water, no electricity, traffic lights not working, highways blocked, went to 8 different gas stations and finally found gas), and the building is dark! No lights, nobody was there. Guess it’s cancelled again. All of this is happening as my own home is also without water and electricity and we have a newborn.

Now I don’t even know what to do. Deadlines are coming up and I may not be able to write the exam in time. I keep calling Pearson for reschedule but I always get disconnected after a while. Maybe this is a sign from the universe that mbas aren’t in my future.

Posted from my mobile device


Holy crap! People like you inspire me to push myself. And I agree with bb here. Maybe it isn't time to give up.

Also, may I suggest that you take a small break and recalibrate yourself. Sure you can go right away for the GMAT Online, but I think remaining kind to oneself is the key to persisting in the long haul, and this persistence oozes out of you from the looks of your story here. Although it is unlikely that I can be of any assistance to you, I'll be more than happy to do so.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 20:40
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An update for the folks here: I got an email from GMAT saying I'll need to reappear for GMAT. I know it is a bummer but the good thing is that I got to know this as soon as possible. Will probably schedule it in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, my plan is to solve the QOTDs and post replies if possible on them. Other than that, I think I still have questions pending in OG quant. I am thinking I will solve some more difficult questions for Verbal to push my level as much as possible.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   19 Feb 2021, 20:42
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anonymousCentaur wrote:
An update for the folks here: I got an email from GMAT saying I'll need to reappear for GMAT. I know it is a bummer but the good thing is that I got to know this as soon as possible. Will probably schedule it in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, my plan is to solve the QOTDs and post replies if possible on them. Other than that, I think I still have questions pending in OG quant. I am thinking I will solve some more difficult questions for Verbal to push my level as much as possible.



Argh. That stinks. Sorry! Unfortunately you will have to wait 16 days to take the test, unless you’re going to take the online version.

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   22 Feb 2021, 21:01
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anonymousCentaur wrote:
An update for the folks here: I got an email from GMAT saying I'll need to reappear for GMAT. I know it is a bummer but the good thing is that I got to know this as soon as possible. Will probably schedule it in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, my plan is to solve the QOTDs and post replies if possible on them. Other than that, I think I still have questions pending in OG quant. I am thinking I will solve some more difficult questions for Verbal to push my level as much as possible.


Glad you got a response. If you have any questions regarding your plan leading into a retake, feel free to reach out. Good luck!
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   23 Feb 2021, 16:49
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Update to my story. I managed to find a cancellation and took the Gmat today (Feb 23). However, the score did not break the 650 barrier. I was actually completely surprised by the score. Q47, V28, IR7. In my mocks, verbal has been V35-40, so I’m shocked that it regressed so much. Can’t believe the 700s in mocks did not translate on test day, even though I actually felt good finishing each section.

Anyways, this concludes my Gmat journey. I will be applying to business schools using the 650. I can keep torturing myself over Gmat or I can spend more energy on essays etc. I’m disappointed that months of preparation and sacrifice did not result in a happy ending, but I have so much to offer the schools than just a Gmat score. I’m a ‘mature’ student (age32) who’s successful in her field, I’ve worked in many countries in multi-billion projects, and a mother to the cutest baby ever. Gmat is just one factor to the application. Let’s keep on pushing ourselves!

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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   23 Feb 2021, 19:48
shaunayang71@gmail.com wrote:
Update to my story. I managed to find a cancellation and took the Gmat today (Feb 23). However, the score did not break the 650 barrier. I was actually completely surprised by the score. Q47, V28, IR7. In my mocks, verbal has been V35-40, so I’m shocked that it regressed so much. Can’t believe the 700s in mocks did not translate on test day, even though I actually felt good finishing each section.

Anyways, this concludes my Gmat journey. I will be applying to business schools using the 650. I can keep torturing myself over Gmat or I can spend more energy on essays etc. I’m disappointed that months of preparation and sacrifice did not result in a happy ending, but I have so much to offer the schools than just a Gmat score. I’m a ‘mature’ student (age32) who’s successful in her field, I’ve worked in many countries in multi-billion projects, and a mother to the cutest baby ever. Gmat is just one factor to the application. Let’s keep on pushing ourselves!

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Are you going to order an ESR and see where did the test go wrong?
Also, I think that your profile already looks good enough. I am still young (22 y.o.) so I feel like I might need to push as much as I can on my GMAT.
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink] New post   23 Feb 2021, 23:27
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anonymousCentaur wrote:
An update for the folks here: I got an email from GMAT saying I'll need to reappear for GMAT. I know it is a bummer but the good thing is that I got to know this as soon as possible. Will probably schedule it in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, my plan is to solve the QOTDs and post replies if possible on them. Other than that, I think I still have questions pending in OG quant. I am thinking I will solve some more difficult questions for Verbal to push my level as much as possible.



Hi anonymousCentaur,

Just take it positively. You have worked so hard. So, take this another chance and give your best. I wish everything goes well this time and you will have a better experience than before. All the best!!
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Re: Another unexpected frustrating experience [#permalink]
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